A newbie with a few questions about orchids

[greenthumb09]

I'm a newbie to owning orchids. I was given one a while back that died so I stayed away from orchids for a while thinking maybe I'm just bad with them.

Then the other night my husband comes home with this orchid [img=http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/9216/img3815a.jpg]. It's gorgeous and I would love to own it for a long long time. Does anyone know what type of Orchid this is? I have been searching online all morning is it a Dendrobium? Can someone please offer me some basic care tips for it? Thank you all so much.

[justatypn]

Your correct it is a dendrobium here is a bit of information for you...
AOS | Dendrobium

[flhiker]

Hi Greenthumb09 and welcome to the OB. Yes your orchid is a Dendrobium. These are not my strong point but I just water a couple time a week and fertilize 2 a month with 1/2 strength orchid fertilizer during the growing season. I do not fert. when it is in flower. It may cause bud blast. I hope this helps and good luck. I'm sure other with chime in as well with there methods.

[greenthumb09]

Thank you both so much!! I look forward to hearing more tips and advice.

[RosieC]

I'm not a Dendrobium expert either, but this is the care sheet for them.

Dendrobium - Orchid Board

I have one, which I keep in an west facing window. I water it once a week with ferteliser 3 out of 4 waterings (flushing through with clean water every fourth time).

[greenthumb09]

Thanks Rosie. One more question if you guys/gals don't mind. How do you recommend I water the orchid? This may sound like a dumb question, but two different people have told me to get a spray bottle and just spritz the orchid once a week. Then I've read online you should hold it under a faucet for 15 seconds and to do that every 10-12 days. I searched youtube hoping to find some video on this, but no luck .

[seamonkey]

If you just spritz the orchid with a spray bottle once a week, it will die quickly. Water it thoroughly when you water (when you water depends on a lot of things but in hot weather it might be once a week) with lukewarm water. Cold water will shock the roots. Don't worry about fertilizers just yet, it's not the most important thing when you're still learning.

[greenthumb09]

Thanks seamonkey. I think I killed my last orchid by over watering it. I did the under the sink method and watered my plant once a week and the leaves all feel off and rotted and the plant turned brown =/. I hope I can find the perfect balance with the new one. Thanks again.

[flhiker]

I live where it is rather hot so I water 2x time a week. I water till the roots turn green. The roots have a coating called velamen which turns green when they have soaked up all the water they can. No matter how you apply the water spray bottle, soaking, ect...

[seamonkey]

Personally, I water my plants whenever they look and feel like they need it- I have no rigorous schedule whatsoever.

If it's been a week but the medium still feels pretty moist, absolutely hold off watering. To feel it, you'll have to dig your finger into the sphag (or whatever) to get past the crunchy surface.